How to Wear Pink Jeans

The Scene

Laurel Hardware was a neighborhood institution in WeHo for more than 60 years. I remember shopping there in the 80s with my parents when I was little – before Home Depot was even a glimmer in anyone's eye. Like many longtime patrons, I was sad when the old-fashioned hardware store on Santa Monica Blvd shuttered in 2008.

Four years later, the musty old hardware store has been gutted and re-imagined as a GORGEOUS restaurant and bar. 

Gaga for the beautiful patio. Perfect for summer drinks

Love the relaxed but chic decor. Especially love that the new owners kept the original store-front and name. Yay for respecting a neighborhood's history.  

Mr. Diabolina nabbed a reservation for opening weekend. A foodgasm followed. 

The cocktails are a must at Laurel Hardware. Meet the Exuberance, tequila and St. Germain with grapefruit and salt/grapefruit foam. Heavenly. 

Behold the decadent chicharrones.

Snap peas with black barley and parmesan in a kumquat vinegrette: light and tasty starter for summer. 

Softshell crab with corn pudding, stewed tomatoes and basil oil: sinful. 

 Eggplant pizza with summer squash, burrata and thyme: solid but nothing special. I say stick to the larger plates for your main course. 

Dessert was grilled peaches with ricotta, honey comb and olive oil: my favorite of the night!

Also got the strawberry and rhubarb crumble with ice cream because how could we resist!

The fact that all this deliciousness is now within walking distance = a problem for my ass.

The Outfit

Forever 21 top and spike bracelet

Random necklace

LA Fashion District pink jeans and green bracelet

Stuart Weitzman sandals

Louis Vuitton bag

Chanel earrings

Dior sunglasses

The Grade

B

The Commentary 

My name is Diabolina and I've slowly but surely become addicted to colored jeans. It started with red, then cobalt, followed by burgundy. My newest neon pink pair was purchased at Santee Alley. My co-worker nicknamed them Pinkie LaRue...because he finds himself hilarious.

I justified adding a totally impractical, totally fun new pair to my jean collection for one reason:  the pricetag. This bold pair cost $24. In fact, each pair of colored jeans I've bought have cost less than $35. That means that my four pairs of colored jeans still cost less than one pair of J Brand. I win.

My take: Never spend triple digits on a fad – much less a DENIM fad. We live in a commercial moment where every high fashion trend trickles down to retailers that price them for the masses. 


Consequently, I only invest in special pieces that I love and know I'll wear for years. Everything else, I say, nab on the cheap and chuck when you're over it. 

The Inspiration

What I Wore to L.A. Pride 2012

The Scene
I grew up in West Hollywood – north of Sunset for all you obnoxious Clueless types ;). Which I didn't realize was unusual until I went "away" to college. At USC, I learned that most kids flee to open-minded, glamorous suburbs; they aren't lucky enough to be born into them. Dumb lucky me.

Growing up in WeHo meant the Pride parade has always been a part of my life. I remember watching it on TV in the 80s with my parents – yes, they were THAT completely open with me about the realities of the world and community we lived in. Since then I've attended the parade in support of my gay friends. And more recently, I've attended as a Trevor Project volunteer.

But this year, I rode the float as a Trevor Project board member...excuuuuuuse you!!! We're talking BEYOND honorary gay status, right?!? Finally, my straightness has been overlooked and I've been officially welcomed into the gay bosom. It only took 34 years: F!

The experience was – duh – amazing!  Was so proud to participate in a community event that's been a part of my life since childhood. Was a TOTAL TRIP to pageant-wave my way down Santa Monica Blvd. - a street that houses so many of my most defining memories as an Angeleno.

Most of all, it felt amazing to see people cheering and sincerely applauding us for all the amazing work the Trevor staff, volunteers and board do for at risk GLBTQ youth.  I couldn't help but wish my dad was there to see it. He would have been so proud.

The Outfit
Forever 21 dress
LA Fashion District earrings
Vivienne Westwood clutch

Stuart Weitzman sandals
Dior sunglasses
H&M belt


The Grade
Pass

The Commentary

All you need to know is that I kinda sorta maybe refused to wear a t-shirt to Pride this year. I've done it in the past with HORRIFYING results. Was left feeling UNHAPPY and not myself.  

So this year I went a different route. I wanted to represent Trevor in an authentic, happy way (isn't that what Gay Pride is all about?) so I busted out a purty dress, clutch and earrings - all rainbow-esque with tinges of Trevor's signature orange. Theoretically an A+.  But I still felt awfully guilty for not adhering to the dress code, hence the Pass. 

Sorry, I just don't look casually glam in a tee and shorts like that Kate Bosworth does.



Roundy brown girls do better emulating fancy dress Kate.

Learned it by watching Lisa Vanderpump.
She went for a hot pink maxi and floppy hat at Pride this year. 

She rode the Pepto Bismal inspired float ahead of ours - amazing! 

Here's hoping it's just a matter of time before the right Bravo vehicle hurdles me into D list status. 

The Inspiration

What to Wear in Palm Springs

One of the secrets to a still hot relationship after 14 years: weekend getaways. I planned a quick jaunt to (scorching hot) Palm Springs for Mr. Diabolina last month.




Knew we were both in dire need of some R&R.




 Plus I've been dying to stay at The Parker since our first visit in 2009 during one of the BEST couples' weekends ever.

(Forever 21 dress, Prada sunglasses, Tory Burch purse) 




Our Jonathan Adler, poolside digs did not disappoint.



Neither did our must-visit, nom-nom-nom spot in Palm Springs, Las Casuelas Terraza.




The machaca was the perfect way to kick off the weekend

Just look at this pig...I mean happy baby :)

A side benefit to planning romantic weekends for your man:
he actually encourages you to shop during the trip.

Made sure to hit the Trina Turk store.

With all the retro prints and breezy shapes, it's the quintessential Palm-Springs-in-its-Rat-Pack-hey-day brand.

Adore the kitschy vibe of the swimwear.

And the glorious caftans.  I plan to live in caftans when I retire.

Found quite a few things I liked but narrowed them down to these two on sale.

Another reason I love Palm Springs: Men are so thankful to be in air conditioning that they will remain relatively still and quiet while you try on clothes.

Want to live by a pool in this short caftan but alas it was a size too big. It also looks a little too much like some things I already own. NEXT...

Loved the idea of this little asymmetrical number but not the reality of it. Didn't do much for my short waist and the silky material would last about an hour in my klutzy, sweaty world.  The color is killer though especially with a tan and my hot pink sandals. Got them at Tar-jay for $24 but don't they look exactly like THOSE $120 DV sandals everyone is wearing this summer???

At the boutique next door, I fell in love with these Marc Jacobs sunglasses. But $400! For barely there frames? 

Wasn't feeling spendy so settled for these $10 Prada knock-offs at some random little souvenir shop.
Adore.



Spent the rest of the afternoon poolside in my new Target hat catching up on magazines and trying to finish Andy Cohen's "Most Talkative" (don't judge me.)

Mr. D eventually lured me out of the pool with dinner plans at Mister Parker

It's a chic, sexy spot but OY is it dark in there! You know you are old when you are coveting a fellow diner's keychain flashlight.  Not sexy.

Found out the menu will be getting retooled by the new resident chef soon. Hope they don't get rid of the short ribs. They are heaven on a plate.



We started with the beet and grapefruit salad.

And the lobster stuffed filet 

With the gnocchi and brussels sprouts. 

Perfect amount of food and the wine recommendations were BEYOND.

Roamed around the resort after dinner like giddy kids and then took an evening dip in the 24-hour pool as night fell.

(H&M caftan, Zara clutch, Target sandals) 

Then we may or may not have ordered a bottle of wine to go with our room service dessert. #piggiesonvacation

Let Mr. Diabolina sleep in the next morning and was in the pool by 8 am.

(Target beach hat)

Mid-morning we hit Norma's for brunch. 

I had the crab omelette

Mr. D did the mango crepes.

Spent the rest of the afternoon – you guessed it – in the pool.  Side note: I got the WORST sunburn of my life in Palm Springs when I was 7. Went with my god-parents and fell asleep by the pool. You should have heard my mom GO OFF on them when her brown baby came home beet-colored. 

(Rogan shorts, Tory Burch sandals, Dior sunglasses, The Webster for Target top and Target sandals) 

Ended the trip with a stop at Cabezon, where Mr. D said thank you for whisking him away for the weekend with a little something :)

Another secret to 14 years together: Prada gifts.